2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting. The SUV also featured automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist, LED fog lights, and taillights, enhancing its road presence.

Inside, the QX80 offered a luxurious cabin with soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces fell short compared to competitors. The center stack, dominated by piano-black plastic, was prone to fingerprints. The cabin featured three interior color schemes: Wheat, Graphite, and Saddle Brown, with Limited models getting matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. Despite some shortcomings, the QX80's fit and finish were generally good, and the updated infotainment system added a modern touch.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a mid-generation refresh, resulting in a revised exterior with new standard LED headlights flanking a hexagonal grille, giving it a more muscular look. The rear featured an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the model, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents.

Inside, the Pacifica stood out from its competitors with a blend of practicality and luxury, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The flat dashboard housed a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the largest in its class, and the cabin featured quilted leather seats, suede center row pillows, and Beber floor mats. The Pacifica's doors had a well-weighted feel, and the minivan's sound deadening technology kept road noise at bay, making it a comfortable and quiet ride.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX80's powertrain handled its weight well, though the transmission was smoother in upshifts than downshifts. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the rear-wheel drive model achieving 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. The four-wheel drive model fared slightly worse.

The QX80 offered two steering systems: engine-speed-sensitive power-assist steering on Luxe models and vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist steering on Limited models. The SUV's Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a relatively smooth ride and improved handling. The QX80 had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, making it a capable choice for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with either a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, or a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with a dual-motor electrically variable transmission, achieving 260 horsepower. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range of over 500 miles, delivering 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 model achieved 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with slightly lower numbers for the AWD version.

The Pacifica's AWD system activated on-demand, improving traction in various conditions, and deactivated to enhance fuel efficiency when not needed. The hybrid model used both on-road driving and wall charging to power its battery, offering a smooth and efficient driving experience.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating best suited for small children. The SUV offered seating for seven with standard captain’s chairs in the second row, and a 60/40 split-folding bench seat was available. The leather-appointed seats came in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, with Alcantara seats available as an option.

The QX80 provided a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The SUV offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats were comfortable and allowed for a feeling of togetherness, with ample storage space between the driver and front passenger. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow ’n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins.

The Pacifica's second- and third-row seats provided plenty of legroom, and the Stow ’n Go seats tumbled into the floor for easy loading. The minivan offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it a practical choice for family travel.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Buyers could upgrade to a rear-seat entertainment system and a WiFi hot spot. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering a modern and customizable experience. The system was graphically appealing, responsive, and easy to use. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional second-row in-seat entertainment system. The Pacifica offered a six-speaker sound system, with 13-speaker Alpine and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon options available. The Pinnacle model included FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with advanced features.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered a range of standard and available safety features, including automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had a moderate risk of rollover according to the NHTSA.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.